Carthage boys win semifinal game, to play for district championship

When the third-seeded Carthage girl's basketball team defeated second-seeded Nevada Thursday night in the Class 4, District 12 tournament, it was a minor upset according to the bracket.

The upset win posted by the Carthage boys on Friday night was a little more substantial.

When the third-seeded Carthage girl's basketball team defeated second-seeded Nevada Thursday night in the Class 4, District 12 tournament, it was a minor upset according to the bracket.

The upset win posted by the Carthage boys on Friday night was a little more substantial.

Carthage led by 10 at the break and only increased that lead in the second half as the fourth-seeded Tigers defeated No. 1 Nevada 79-66 to advance to Saturday's district championship game against either Webb City (2) or Carl Junction (3).

On Friday, Carthage led 20-11 after the first quarter and 39-29 at the break.

Nevada pulled within eight points early in the third quarter, then cut the Carthage lead to 51-45 when Grant Wolfe made two free throws with 1:33 remaining in the third.

Carthage, though, closed the quarter with a Cory Prevost basket at the 57-second mark, a Nathan Reid basket with 1.1 seconds remaining and then senior Johnathan Terry grabbed the rebound when Reid missed a free throw and scored as the buzzer sounded, giving the Tigers a 57-45 advantage.

Senior Dawson Allmoslecher almost singlehandedly held off a Nevada comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points including five baskets in a row for the Tigers, who led by as many as 15 points on two different occasions in the fourth.

The Carthage boys will play for the title at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against either Webb City or Carl Junction, who were playing late Friday.

The boys game will follow the girls championship at 1 p.m., which features Carthage and Webb City.